Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Connecticut in 2025
Connecticut law requires all registered motor vehicle owners to maintain continuous liability insurance coverage throughout the registration period. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-213b, operation of a motor vehicle is prohibited when insurance coverage fails to meet minimum requirements. This statute establishes financial responsibility standards that apply to vehicle registration, renewal transactions, and the continuous operation of registered vehicles.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles administers the state's mandatory liability insurance program through its headquarters in Wethersfield and regional service centers throughout Connecticut's eight counties. The Department processes all vehicle registration applications, renewals, and compliance enforcement actions. Connecticut implements electronic insurance verification protocols through the Connecticut Insurance Verification System (CTIVS) to confirm coverage during registration transactions and conduct ongoing monitoring to identify coverage lapses.
If vehicle owners do not maintain insurance on a registered vehicle, the insurance company will notify the DMV when coverage is cancelled. Owners may receive a warning notice from the DMV in the form of a letter. Registration privileges may be suspended, and vehicle owners will not be able to register a new vehicle or renew an existing registration until issues are resolved. If insurance has lapsed for more than 14 days, vehicle owners will be required to pay a $200 fine.
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161
Phone: (860) 263-5700
Official Website: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Connecticut establishes specific minimum liability insurance coverage amounts that all policies must meet or exceed. According to state requirements, vehicle owners are required to maintain minimum liability insurance on vehicles registered in Connecticut until they cancel the registration or license plates.
| Liability Coverage Type | Statutory Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability per accident | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage per person | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage per accident | $50,000 |
Connecticut requires drivers to maintain both liability insurance and mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Bodily harm liability must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, while property damage liability must be at least $25,000 per accident. The state strongly encourages vehicle owners to consider higher levels of coverage for enhanced financial protection.
Connecticut Insurance Department
153 Market Street, 7th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 297-3800
Official Website: Connecticut Insurance Department
Proof of Insurance Documents
Connecticut law requires every motor vehicle operator to carry evidence of insurance coverage when the DMV requests proof of insurance coverage. Specific forms of documentation are acceptable for verification purposes.
Acceptable forms of proof of insurance include:
- Declaration Page: Official insurance policy declaration page showing coverage details and effective dates
- Letter of Experience: Letter from insurance company on company letterhead showing continuous coverage and coverage dates
- Valid Permanent Connecticut Insurance Identification Card: Card provided by insurance carrier identifying the vehicle and showing coverage period
- Electronic Proof of Insurance: In October 2018, Connecticut announced it would officially accept digital versions
Connecticut statute permits automobile insurance identification cards to be presented through electronic means, including display of electronic images on cellular mobile telephones or other electronic devices. Law enforcement officers and DMV personnel accept this electronic format as valid proof of insurance coverage.
Temporary insurance cards, bills, or binders are not acceptable forms of verification when the DMV requests proof of insurance. Vehicle owners must provide documentation that clearly identifies the specific vehicle, shows the coverage period, and confirms that coverage meets Connecticut's minimum insurance requirements. The proof of insurance must be in the name of the registered vehicle owner or registrant.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Connecticut law provides limited exceptions to mandatory liability insurance requirements for specific vehicle categories. According to state regulations, certain vehicles qualify for exemptions under defined conditions:
- Farm Tractors: Vehicles used exclusively in agricultural production that meet specific farm plate registration criteria
- Trailers Used Solely in Agricultural Operations: Trailers used exclusively for farming purposes by qualified agricultural operations
- Vehicles Not Subject to Registration: Vehicles that are exempt from state vehicle registration requirements under Connecticut statutes
- Seasonal Vehicles with Suspended Liability: Vehicles for which owners have requested in writing through their insurance carrier a "suspension of liability" while maintaining comprehensive coverage, though vehicles cannot be operated while liability insurance is temporarily suspended
- Vehicles with Registration Placed On Hold: Vehicles for which owners have returned license plates to the DMV and requested plates be placed "on hold" while the vehicle remains inoperable or stored
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles verifies insurance coverage as a mandatory element of all vehicle registration transactions. Registration applicants must provide proof of insurance before completing registration applications at DMV service centers. The DMV confirms insurance information through CTIVS before processing registration applications or renewals.
- New vehicle registration requires appointments at a DMV hub, branch office, or participating dealership. Registration applicants must bring proof of insurance that meets Connecticut's minimum insurance requirements. The current insurance policy must comply with Connecticut liability and uninsured motorist coverage standards.
- New residents who recently moved to Connecticut have 60 days to register vehicles after establishing residency. Vehicle owners must obtain Connecticut-compliant insurance policies before registering vehicles. Insurance providers must be authorized to write coverage in Connecticut, and policies must meet all state minimum requirements, including both liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
- Registration renewals require active insurance coverage verified through CTIVS. The DMV sends registration renewal notices approximately 45 days before the expiration date. Vehicle owners must renew registrations every 2 years as required by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. The system performs electronic insurance verification during renewal processing.
If state records indicate a vehicle is not insured in Connecticut, vehicle owners must provide proof of insurance] at the time of renewal. Declaration pages, letters of experience, or valid permanent Connecticut Insurance Identification Cards are acceptable. Without verification of current insurance coverage, renewal transactions cannot be completed.
Vehicles purchased from out of state require proof of insurance meeting Connecticut's minimum insurance requirements. For vehicles registered in other states, owners have 90 days to register the vehicle in Connecticut after purchase or after establishing Connecticut residency. Insurance coverage must be established before completing the registration process at a DMV service center.
